William Wallace of Elderslie, younger son of a country knight, came to fame through his active opposition to the aggressive imperialism of England’s King Edward I. From political and social obscurity he seized control of the reins of government and became the first leader of his people in a war of liberation against a far larger and richer enemy – England – that would last for more than sixty years. With little or no experience in the business of government or of war, William Wallace was able to achieve command, but proved unable to retain it in the face of battlefield defeat. In this updated edition of his groundbreaking work, Chris Brown cuts through the myths still perpetuated today to produce a biography driven by contemporary medieval records rather than Victorian legends and present an accurate portrait of the life and career of Scotland’s greatest hero.

May not make comfortable reading for those who insist on treating Wallace with absolute and uncritical adoration. -- Daily Mail

CHRIS BROWN has designed and delivered numerous history and war studies courses for the OLL department at Edinburgh University. He has travelled extensively throughout the world studying battlefields. He has written numerous articles and given conference papers on a variety of historical and defence issues. His father served with the Parachute Regiment alongside Arnhem veterans and he has always been fascinated by the battle.